Gateau de lune is a delicious French dessert that is a classic favorite in many households. It is a light and airy cake filled with whipped cream, which is then topped with a thin layer of meringue. The cake can be served with a variety of toppings, such as fresh fruit, chocolate shavings, or a light sugar glaze. This traditional French treat can be enjoyed either as a dessert or as an addition to a main course. Read on to learn how to make your own Gateau de lune.

Ingredients

To make Gateau de lune, you will need the following ingredients: 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 eggs, 1 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract.

Instructions

To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease two 8-inch round cake pans. Next, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Slowly add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until fully incorporated. In a third bowl, combine the heavy cream, water, and extracts. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, stirring until all ingredients are combined. Lastly, add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Filling and Toppings

To make the filling for Gateau de lune, simply beat together 1 cup of heavy cream and 1/4 cup of sugar until stiff peaks form. Once the cakes have cooled, spread the cream over one of the cakes and top with the other. For a more traditional French topping, you can use a thin layer of meringue. To make the meringue, beat together 4 egg whites and 1/2 cup of sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread the meringue over the top of the cake and lightly brown with a kitchen torch.

You can also top Gateau de lune with fresh fruit, chocolate shavings, or a light sugar glaze. Simply mix together 2 cups of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake and let it set before serving.

Gateau de lune is a delicious French dessert that is sure to please any crowd. With its light and airy texture and variety of toppings, it’s an easy and impressive treat to make. Whether you opt for a traditional meringue topping or a light sugar glaze, this classic French cake is sure to be a hit with family and friends. Bon appétit!